Psammetichus ontvangt een vrouwenschoen van een adelaar c. 1635

This is Daniël van den Bremden’s “Psammetichus ontvangt een vrouwenschoen van een adelaar,” made sometime around 1587. The print illustrates a scene where King Psammetichus receives a woman's shoe from an eagle, a gift that seems both unexpected and laden with meaning. Reflecting the cultural norms of the 16th century, the work invites us to consider the role of women as it dissects the social and political dimensions of gender. It is difficult to ignore the symbol of the woman's shoe, delivered by an eagle. What does it mean to frame a woman by way of her shoe? What commentary is this on the status and agency of women? It seems as though Daniël van den Bremden calls us to question the power dynamics embedded in the artwork. It offers an opportunity to contemplate the complex interplay between gender, power, and knowledge in society. It is a potent reminder of the importance of interrogating cultural norms and challenging traditional narratives.